The Federal government has commenced the distribution of N5 billion smoke-free cooking stoves for rural women across the country.
The stove was launched at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa by the Vice-President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo
During the launch, Sambo said “One of the important global problems today is environmental problem. And desertification in Nigeria is one of our major environmental problems. And as a result, one of the major causes is this problem of cutting the trees and using the wood as a source of energy for cooking.
“This idea then came up to have alternative cooking device for our women. So, this programme, which Mr. President has graciously approved for the initial take off under the Environmental Ministry with the sum of N9 billion to procure these cooking utensils and distribute it all over the country to our women.
“And by so doing, contributes to stopping the usage of trees for firewood for cooking. In addition to that, it has added the value of saving women from inhaling the smoke, which is responsible for the yearly death of about 90,000 women.
“We believe this is a very important contribution towards arresting desertification in Nigeria.”
The Minister of Environment, Mrs. Laraba Malam also added that there is no controversy over the supplies of the stoves.
She said “We have only paid 15 per cent to the contractor and he has supplied. There is no controversy about the cost of the contract. The truth is that Mr. President and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N9 billion for 750,000 pieces of the clean stove.
“Meanwhile N5 billion was released to the ministry and following due process they gave him 15 per cent, which is N1.3 billion and he has supplied. So no controversy here.”